Lakes brimming with Rainbow Trout for School Holidays
by Victoria State Government 20 Sep 08:08 UTC
Rainbow Trout © Victoria State Government
Thousands of rainbow trout are hitting Victorian lakes just in time for the school holidays — giving families more reasons to get outdoors and enjoy a fun, affordable fishing adventure, thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos today announced almost 80 lakes are being stocked with more than 35,000 catchable-size fish, in time for the break.
Victoria is proud to stock more fish than every other state and territory in the country combined, providing more opportunities to go fishing and more places to choose from than ever before.
Backed by the Labor Government's $96 million Go Fishing and Boating plan and the reinvestment of recreational fishing licence fees, these rainbow trout are amongst 10 million fish being stocked annually into lakes and rivers to improve fishing opportunities.
Many of these family-friendly locations feature fishing platforms, walking tracks, playgrounds, barbecue facilities and toilets ensuring parents, kids and angling enthusiasts can enjoy a great day out together.
All the trout stocked were delivered by the team at the Victorian Fisheries Authority's Snobs Creek hatchery and weigh approximately 180 grams each - an ideal size for newcomers.
Rainbow trout can be caught in a variety of ways ranging from low-cost baits to lures that are cast and retrieved from the shore.
One of the big advantages to this species is people don't need fancy gear to get in on the fun. Common garden worms, Tassie Devil lures or spinners, will do the trick when rigged on a small spinning outfit.
Anglers are reminded that in Family Fishing Lakes a daily bag limit of 5 trout applies, of which only 2 can exceed 35 centimetres.
More information about bag and size limits, permitted equipment and licensing can be found in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, available free from bait and tackle shops, at vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or via the free 'Vic Fishing' mobile app.
To view the full list of stocked Family Fishing Lakes for the term break visit vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
"We're making it easier for families to get outdoors and enjoy nature — stocking thousands of rainbow trout across Victoria so kids can cast a line these school holidays."
"Our nation-leading fish stocking program ensures families can have a fun, free and healthy day out."